Chile is gaining momentum as a premier South American location. When O&M New York and Believe Media director George Jecel were tasked with the launch campaign for a new Kimberley Clark product, they turned to Chile.

"We needed exteriors, parks, beaches, a fishing village, and it was February. Plus, we had the luxury of a third day, and you can't shoot in New York or Los Angeles for under $150K," says O&M senior producer Patty McOnnel. Believe's head of production, Taylor Pinson, adds: "Chile allowed us the luxury of a three-day shoot with what was a two-day budget limitation anywhere else. Once we chose South America, Chile was the only logical choice, what with Dengue fever in Brazil and political unrest in Argentina."

McOnnel compares Chile to South African and Australian production centers - only cheaper - and Pinson says that in terms of pure shoot-day costs, Chilean rates are about 1/3 of an LA shoot-day (and that many of the crew are on flat shoot-day deals & locations are relatively inexpensive).

"We used a company by the name of Cia de Films (run by owner/exec Norberto Cesca)," says Pinson. "They were extremely forthright in terms of business and could not have been a more delightful group. In terms of 'production standards' that is always a tough one. Outside of LA, London & New York everyone is slower, but as they say 'when in Rome.' We shot on a beach location (Quintay & Playa Grande at Santa Augusta) with a dock build and cheated an empty grass field (Parque Quinta Normal) as an open-air concert venue. We made a two-hour trip out of Santiago to the beach and were able to shoot and travel back the same day. We lost a location in the evening that we were to shoot the following day. Madness ensued, but we got first-class support in getting the job back on track."

The production brought an eight-person team of Americans (including McOnnel's six-month-old baby) and both McOnnel and Pinson praise the artistic and professional merits of local crews. Producing in Chile requires a local house, such as Cia, or a production services company such as Mexican/Chilean service provider, TPO.

Webfiles:
Ogilvy & Mather> http://www.ogilvy.com
Believe Media> http://www.believemedia.com
TPO> http://www.tpomexico.com/shootinginchile.html